“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” cropped poster.
Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps is projected to have a big opening, but it’s not expected to be nearly as mighty as Superman’s debut two weeks ago.
Directed by Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps plays in Thursday previews before opening worldwide on Friday. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is projected by Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety to open anywhere between $100 million to $110 million this weekend at 4,100 North American theaters for a No. 1 debut at the domestic box office.
By contrast, DC Studios’ Superman starring David Corenswet in the title role opened at No. 1 domestically with $125 million in its first Friday to Sunday frame from roughly the same number of theaters. Per The Numbers, Superman pulled in $125 million from 4,135 theaters domestically against a $225 million production budget before prints and advertising.
While The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ exact budget number hasn’t been released, Variety reported that the film cost above $200 million to make before P&A.
For the time being, the pressure on James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new reign at DC Studios has slightly abated thanks to Superman’s performance globally. As of Tuesday, the film has earned $243.1 million domestically and $173 million internationally for a running worldwide box office tally of $416.2 million to date.
Meanwhile, Deadline is projecting The Fantastic Four: First Steps to earn $90 million to $100 million worldwide Friday through Sunday. If the trade publication’s domestic projection holds, that means the latest tale in the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe could end the weekend with a worldwide gross of anywhere from $190 million to $210 million.
What Is ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps About?
The official summary for the movie reads, “Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family — Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) — as they face their most daunting challenge yet.
“Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.”
One big positive for The Fantastic Four: First Steps heading into the weekend is that it marks the first time a Fantastic Four film has been met with positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes critics, otherwise, have blasted the four previous Fantastic Four movies produced in 1994, 2005, 2007 and 2015, respectively.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks the third MCU release from Disney and Marvel Studios this year, following Captain America: Brave New World, which was released on Feb. 14 and Thunderbolts*, which kicked off the Summer 2025 movie season on May 2.
Both films fell far short in their bids for box office glory, with Captain America: Brave New World earning $413.6 million against a $180 million production budget before P&A. Thunderbolts* (aka The New Avengers), meanwhile, has earned $382.1 million worldwide to date against a $180 million production budget before P&A.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps plays in Thursday previews before opening in theaters worldwide on Friday.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2025/07/22/fantastic-four-first-steps-box-office-projections-far-below-superman-opening/